The Authority of Jesus

 

 Mk 1:21-28

Jesus Drives Out an Impure Spirit

²¹ They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. ²² The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law. ²³ Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an impure spirit cried out, ²⁴ “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”

²⁵ “Be quiet!” said Jesus sternly. “Come out of him!” ²⁶ The impure spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek.

²⁷ The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, “What is this? A new teaching—and with authority! He even gives orders to impure spirits and they obey him.” ²⁸ News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee.

As we begin this period of Ordinary Time, we see Jesus teaching with authority and casting out evil spirits. No time wasted. His reputation spread and  people were amazed. In our day, when churches are closing because people are not attending; when scandals in government and business appall us; when war with its killing and destruction daily shock us, we might wonder where Jesus and his authority are.  He's still here, but it is we who have turned our backs to him. Let us take stock of our use of the time God gives us and see where and how we might restore Jesus to his proper place in our lives.  And  part of that restoration is helping others do the same in their lives.  One by one, we too can cast out the evil spirits that plague our time.  We have the authority of Jesus on our side.

Dear Jesus, help me to cast the evil spirit from my life and help others cast him from theirs. Amen.